Apparatus and method for distributing textile fibers



F. REITERER 3,408,115

APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR DISTRIBUTING TEXTILE FIBERS Oct. 29, 1968 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed March 30, 1966 INVENTOR: FERDINAND Ran-Emma ATTORNEYS Oct. 29, 1968 F. REITERER 3,408,115

APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR DISTRIBUTING TEXTILE FIBERS Filed March 50, 1966 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR: FERNNANB REWERER ATTORNEYS F. REITERER Oct. 29, 1968 APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR DISTRIBUTING TEXTILE FIBERS 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed March 30, 1966 INVENTOR. FERDINAND EEWERER ATTORNEYS United States Patent Oflice 3,408,115 Patented Oct. 29, 1968 11,843 6 Claims. (Cl. 302-28) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A method and apparatus for distributing textile fibers in which fibers are conveyed pneumatically from a sou ce through a conduit above and in continuous communication with a series of hoppers associated with respective textile machines, and fibers are normally engaged above and pushed toward the hoppers by respective continuously moving intercepting elements. Whenever a predetermined amount of fibers is present in any one or more of the hoppers, a corresponding diverting means is actuated to divert the air stream and fibers borne thereby in a by-pass path past the respective area of communication between the conduit and the respective hopper.

This invention relates to an improved apparatus and method for pneumatically distributing fibers to a series of fiber processing machines, such as cards, pickers and the like.

It is an important object of this invention to provide a new and improved apparatus and method for distributing textile fibers from a source to a series of hoppers associated with a series of fiber processing machines to provide a predetermined quantity of fibers in each hopper and wherein fibers are conveyed from the source through a conveyor conduit by a continuously flowing air stream while areas of communication between the hoppers. of the machines and the conduit are always maintained open and permit fibers to move into those hoppers having less than the predetermined quantity of fibers therein. However, whenever a hopper has the predetermined quantity of fibers present therein, the air stream and fibers borne thereby are diverted automatically in a by-pass path past the area of open communication between the hopper and the conduit and substantially to a point therebeyond and within the conduit.

In its preferred embodiment, the invention includes fiber intercepting means, preferably in the form of a rotating dotter roll provided with a series of projecting elements thereon, positioned adjacent each area of communication of the conduit with the hoppers to intercept and augment the movement of fibers from the conduit into the hoppers. The means for diverting the air stream and fibers in the by-pass path comprises a diverting plate or flap located in the conduit precedent to and adjacent each open area of communication, with means responsive to the sensing of a predetermined maximum quantity of fibers in any of the hoppers for actuating and tilting the flap into the air stream, not only to shield the fiber intercepting means from the air borne fibers, but also to divert and cause the air stream and lint borne thereby to bypass the corresponding fiber intercepting means and area of communication.

Another object of this invention is to provide means for directing an auxiliary air stream into the conduit between adjacent hoppers to compensate for losses in the rate of flow of the main continuously flowing air stream occurring as the result of movement of fibers from the conduit into the hoppers.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a pneumatic fiber distributingsystem for a series of textile machines wherein fibers which by-pass any of the machines return to the source through the pneumatic conveyor conduit and are recirculated through the conduit.

Some of the objects of the invention having been stated, other objects will appear as the description proceeds when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which- FIGURE 1 is a somewhat schematic side elevation of a preferred embodiment of the fiber distributing system for carrying out the method of the present invention;

FIGURE 2 is a schematic top plan view of the apparatus of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is an enlarged elevation, partially in section, showing one of the hoppers and the means by which the hopper is communicatively connected to the pneumatic conveyor conduit, the particular hopper shown in FIG- URE 3 corresponding to that shown in the central portion of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 4 is a transverse vertical sectional view, on a reduced scale, taken substantially along line 4-4 in FIGURE 3;

FIGURE 5 is an enlarged detail of a means for varying the position of the fiber intercepting means at the area of communication between the conveyor conduit and a corresponding hopper, and being taken substantially along line 55 in FIGURE 4;

FIGURE 6 is a schematic plan view of a fiber distributing system similar to that of FIGURE 2 with the fiber processing machines in one row extending generally parallel to one run of the pneumatic conveyor conduit and the fiber processing machines of another row extending substantially at right angles to another corresponding run of the pneumatic conveyor conduit; and

FIGURE 7 is a schematic plan view similar to FIG- URE 6, but wherein all the fiber processing machines in the adjacent rows extend substantially parallel with the respective runs of the pneumatic conveyor conduit, and wherein two feeding devices, representing respective sources of fibers, are connected to the inlet portion of the pneumatic conveyor conduit.

Referring more specifically to the drawings, and to FIGURES 1 and 2 in particular, the numerals 10, 10' designate carding machines which collectively represent a series of fiber processing machines. Each machine 10, 10 is provided with a feed hopper 11 having an open bottom and from which fibers are directed into the corresponding machine by suitable rotating feed rolls 12 which, in this instance, serve as a bottom of the corresponding hopper. The hoppers 11 may be of a type disclosed and claimed in my copending application Ser. No. 422,633, filed Dec. 31, 1964, and entitled Textile Fiber Web Forming and Feeding Apparatus and Method, for example.

According to the invention, fibers are pneumatically distributed from a source to the hoppers 11 by means of a main air stream flowing continuously within a pneumaticconveyor conduit 14 which largely extends above the machines 10 and hoppers 11 and is provided with a plurality of areas of communication or fiber transfer openings 15 between the conduit 14 and the respective hoppers, which areas of communication are open at all times. As shown in FIGURES 1 and 2, the source of textile fibers may take the form of a supplying unit or' fiber feeder 20 into which fibers may be directed by any suitable means, such as an endless belt conveyor or apron 21. A conveyor fan 22, producing a continuously flowing air stream, has its air outlet connected to the receiving or inlet end of conduit 14. The main runs of conveyor conduit 14 are shown above the level of feeder 20, but the feeder and main runs of conduit 14 may be in a common horizontal plane, if desired.

Fibers may be introduced to conveyor fan 22, as by means of a suitably driven upwardly inclined spiked apron 24 which lifts fibers 01f apron 21 and deposits them in a channel 25 leading downwardly to a revolving con-- denser screen 26 communicating with the inlet of fan 22 and from which the fibers are directed to fan 22 by suitable driven rolls 27. The end of conveyor conduit 14 opposite from fan 22 is connected to a suitable separator 30 to return surplus fibers -'to the source or feeder 20, which reintroduces the surplus fibers into the distributor circuit. Thus, fibers which are not delivered to the hoppers 11 are recirculated through the distribution system. Separator 30 may be of any well known type containing beaters or the like for separating or opening the surplus fibers before they drop onto feed apron 21 of feeder 20.

Fibers are directed from each fiber transfer opening 15 in conveyor conduit 14 to the respective feed hopper 11 through a corresponding tubular throat or funnel 32 which is preferably square at its fiber-receiving end and is connected at its lower end to a tubular diverging coupling 33 whose lower end is of substantially the same length as the respective hopper; i.e., of a length corresponding susbtantially to the width of the mass of fibers as it is to be fed to the corresponding textile fiber processing machine 10 by rolls 12. As best shown in FIGURE 3, the diverging tubular coupling 33 may be connected to the upper end of hopper 11 by a fiber separating and detecting device broadly designated at 34 and which may be of a type disclosed and claimed in my copending application Ser. No. 419,301 filed Dec. 18, 1964, and entitled, Separating-Distributing Device for Textile Fibers, now Patent No. 3,284,140, for example.

Fiber separating and detecting device 34 may comprise a housing 35 having a passage 36 therethrough which connects the lower end of coupling 33 to hopper 11 and is defined by a pair of arcuate screens or filters 37. A reciprocating shaft is journaled in housing 35 within passage 36 in substantially concentric relation to the armate filters 37 and has a removing shutter 41 and an obturating shutter 42 mounted thereon. Removing shutter 41 is fixed on shaft 40 and obturating shutter 42 is yieldably mounted on shaft 40. As disclosed in said application Ser. No. 419,301, shaft 40 and obturating shutter 41 are rotated exactly one-half revolution from the position in which they are shown in FIGURE 3, first in one direction and then in the other. Thus, as removing shutter 41 moves in a clockwise direction in FIGURE 3, obturating shutter 42 moves therewith until it engages the lower edge of the left-hand wall of passage 36, whereupon it ceases movement as removing shutter 41 continues its clockwise movement until it returns to the position shown in FIGURE 3. Thereupon, removing shutter 41 moves in a counterclockwise direction and moves obturating shutter 42 therewith until it returns to the position shown in FIGURE 3, whereupon removing shutter 41 completes its revolution of movement in a counterclockwise direction. In so doing, any fibers deposited upon removing shutter 41 and adjacent the corresponding filter 37 in the course of upward movement of removing shutter 41 are carried upwardly and then downwardly to be directed past the other of the filters and thus downwardly into the hopper 11.

Switches a, b, a, b are mounted on an arm 6 which moves in fixed relation with obturating shutter 42 and relative toa contact finger d which moves in fixed relation with removing shutter 41. Upon a predetermined maximum quantity of fibers being deposited in hopper 11, the fibers in hopper 11 obstruct and limit movement of obturating shutter 42. The angular distance between switches a, b, a, b and contact finger d then will decrease progressively and switch a or a will' come nearer and nearer contact finger d, to be finally actuated. Upon either switch a, or a being actuated, it will complete a circuit to a normally inactive'fiber diverting means 45, to be later described, which functions to prevent the transfer of fibers from the air stream in conveyor conduit 14 into the corresponding hopper 11.

Since fiber separating device 34 is fully disclosedin said copending application Ser. No. 419,301, a further detailed description thereof is deemed unnecessary and reference is made to said last-mentioned copending application for a more detailed description thereof.

Means, including a fan 50, is operatively associated with each hopper 11 for withdrawing air from the upper portion of each hopper as the fibers are moving therein from the conduit 14 to aid in the opening the fibers and presenting them in a more loose mass condition to the hoppers. Further, each fan servesto direct an auxiliary air stream into conduit 14 between adjacent hoppers to compensate for losses in the rate of flow of the continuously flowing air stream occurring through movement of fibers therefrom into the hoppers. Accordingly, it will be observed in FIGURE 3 that the housing 35 there shown is provided with two chambers 51 which straddle passage 36 whereby the filters 37 serve as proximal walls of the chambers 51. Pipe means or duct means 52 connect chambers 51 to the inlet side of auxiliary fan 50 which is of such capacity as to eifect a very low rate of fiow of air from the passage 34 through the filters 37, as compared to the rate of flow of the fibers through passage 36, so the fibers are permitted to move slowly through the passage 36 and are not compressed together as the fibrous mass accumulates in the corresponding hopper 11. The air flow sucked in from conduit 14 by auxiliary fan 50'is directed back into conduit 14 at a point downstream from the corresponding opening 15 by means of a duct 53 connecting the exhaust end or outlet of auxiliary fan 50 with an opening 54 formed in one side wall of conveyor conduit 14. It is apparent that the reintroduction of air, sucked in by auxiliary fan 50, into conveyor conduit 14 maintains a uniform flow of air in conveyor conduit 14 regardless of the number of fiber processing machines connected to conveyor conduit 14 and of the total length of conduit 14.

A filter 55 may be positioned across duct 53 for separating any impurities not retained by filters 37 from the auxiliary air stream being directed into conduit 14 by the corresponding auxiliary fan 50. A removable door 56 may be provided below the filter 55 to permit removal of waste from filter 55.

As heretofore stated, the fiber transfer openings 15 in conduit 14 and corresponding throats 32 are preferably square so that the corresponding diverging couplings 33 may have their long dimension, at the lower ends thereof, extending either parallel with conveyor conduit 14 or transversely thereof and so that the fiber processing or carding machines may extend parallel with the cone sponding run of conveyor conduit 14 in the manner of the machine 10 in FIGURES 1 and 2, or they may extend transversely of the corresponding run of conveyor conduit 14 in the manner of the machine 10' of FIGURES 1 and 2. On the other hand, it is apparent that downstream of each fiber transfer opening 15, the amount of fibers contained in the air stream flowing in the common conveyor conduit 14 normally decreases with the result that it is desirable to provide means for relatively varying th effective sizes of the fiber transfer openings 15.

Accordingly, each throat 32 comprises in one of its sides an adjustably movable internal restricting member or partition 60 (FIGURE 3) which depends through the corresponding opening 15 and into the corresponding throat 32 and thus permits increasing or reducing the cross-sectional area of each opening 15*and throat 32 so as to insure a uniform distribution of the fibers regardless of the location of the openings 15 in the series. Movable partition 60 may be made of sheet metal or the like and its upper end may be provided with a bent portion 61 which may slide on the lower wall of conduit 14 and which may be locked in adjusted position by means of a bolt 62. I

As heretofore stated, each fiber diverting device 45 is provided for diverting the air stream and fibers borne thereby in a by-pass path past a corresponding opening 15 in conduit 14 when a hopper 11 has a predetermined quantity of fibers already present therein and in response thereto. As best shown in FIGURE 3, each fiber diverting device comprises a movable diverting plate or flap which is located upstream or precedent to and immediately adjacent each opening 15 with respect to the direction of flow of the air stream along conduit 14. The dge of flap 65 remote from opening 15 is pivotally mounted,

as at 66, closely adjacent that wall of conduit 14 in which the corresponding fiber transfer opening 15 is formed, and has an extension arm 67 fixed thereto or formed integral therewith to which the plunger of a solenoid 70 is pivotally connected. The coil of solenoid 70 is suitably secured to conduit 14.

It is apparent that, when solenoid 70 is energized, which energization may be effected by actuation of either of the switches a, a associated with the fiber separating and detecting device 34, the plunger of solenoid 70 pulls arm 67 downwardly in FIGURE 3, thereby lifting or tilting diverting flap 65 upwardly to the broken line position of FIGURE 3. When any one of the diverting flaps 65 occupies the broken line position of FIGURE 3, it is apparent that the air stream and fibers borne thereby in conveyor conduit 14 are diverted in a by-pass path past the area of open communication 15 between the corresponding hopper and the conduit 14, substantially to a point therebeyond within the conduit to substantially prevent the further transfer of fibers from the continuously flowing air stream into the corresponding hopper 11 until the quantity of fibers therein drops below a predetermined level such as to release the obturating shutter 42 so that one of the switches b or b thereon may move into engagement with a corresponding stop or abutment 71 to deactivate solenoid 70, substantially as disclosed in said copending application, Ser. No. 419,301, now Patent No. 3,284,140. It is apparent that diverting flap 65 may be actuated automatically by means other than solenoid 70, if desired. The return of flap 65 to its inactive or lowered position, as shown in solid lines in FIGURE 3, is effected by the force of the air stream in conveyor conduit 14 whenever solenoid 70 is deactivated.

Means are provided for augmenting or aiding the movement of fibers into each hopper having less than a predetermined quantity of fibers therein when the corresponding diverting flap occupies inactive or lowered position and, in its preferred embodiment, such means includes a dotfer member or roll 75 having an endless series of moving fiber intercepting elements 76 thereon which are shown in the form of a series of circularly spaced radially projecting fins on the periphery of dotIer roll 75 in FIGURE 3. Dofler roll 75 is fixed on a shaft 80 which extends through the corresponding throat 32. in a direction substantially transversely of conveyorconduit 14 and is journaled in vertically adjustable bearing blocks 81 carried by opposed side walls of the corresponding throat 32.

Only one of the bearing blocks 81 is shown in FIG- URE 5, wherein it will be observed that bearing .block 81 is guided for vertical sliding movement in a bearing bracket or stirrup 82 of inverted U-shaped form fixed to the corresponding side Wall of throat 32. Each side wall of throat 32 is provided with a vertically extending slot 83 through which the corresponding shaft 80 loosely extends (FIGURE 5), and each bearing block 81 has the lower end of a bolt or threaded stem 84 fixed thereto, projecting upwardly therefrom, and loosely penetrating the horizontal upper portion of the corresponding stirrup 82. A compression spring 85 surrounds threaded shaft 84 and its upper and lower ends bear against the upper portion of stirrup 82 and against bearing block 81 of FIGURE 5.

Thus, spring 85 normally urges bearing block 81 downwardly and thereby maintains a pair of adjustment nuts 86 threaded on stem 84 in engagement with the upper surface of bracket 82.

It is apparent that, by adjusting nuts 86, the dofler roll 75 may be vertically adjusted so that the fins 76 thereon may project a predetermined distance upwardly above the bottom wall of conveyor conduit 14 and thus normally engage and positively push fibers from the air stream in opposition to the air stream and into the corresponding throat 32 when the corresponding diverting flap 65 occupies the inactive or horizontal position shown in solid lines in FIGURE 3. On the other hand, it will be noted that, when diverting flap 65 is actuated and occupies the broken line position of FIGURE 3, the air stream and fibers borne thereby are diverted in a path above and out of the plane of doffer roll 75 and its fins 76. All the doifer rolls 75 in the corresponding series are preferably rotated so that the upper portions thereof move in opposition to the direction of movement of the continuously flowing air stream in conduit 14. Any suitable means may be provided for driving dotfer rolls 75 and, as shown in FIG- URE 3, the corresponding dotfer roll 75 has a pulley 87 fixed on shaft 80 thereof which is engaged by the lower run of a driven endless pliable element 90 which may take the form of a cable, belt, chain, or the like.

Cable 90 may be driven by any suitable means, which is shown in the form of an electric motor 92 in FIG- URES 1 and 3 driving a drive pulley 93 through the medium of a suitable gear reduction unit or speed variator generally designated at 94. Pulleys 87, 93 and cable 90 may be suitably mounted externally of conveyor conduit 14 and cable 90 may be tensioned by tension pulleys 95, 96 journaled above each pulley 87, 93.

Although only one of the doffer roll pulleys 87 is shown in FIGURES 3 and 4, it is apparent that, if all of aseries of the clutter roll pulleys 87 are of substantially the same diameter, all doffer rolls 75 will be driven at the same speed. However, the speed of individual dofier rolls 75 may be varied by replacing corresponding pulleys 87 with pulleys of another diameter. If it is desired to adjust the overall speed of all doffer rolls 75, pulley 93 may be replaced by a pulley of another diameter. Of course, if the unit 94 is in the form of a speed variator, it is apparent that its output speed, and thus the speed of pulley 93, may be readily varied. These speed regulating means, of course, are only given as examples, and any other means to regulate either the overall speed of doifer rolls 75 or the individual speed of each roll 75, may be used without departing from the spirit of the invention.

From the foregoing description, it can be appreciated that textile fibers are conveyed from the source at feeder 20 of FIGURES 1 and 2 through conveyor conduit 14 by a continuously flowing air stream while all the openings 15 maintain open areas of communication between all the hoppers 11 associated with the series of fiber processing machines and conduit 14 to permit fibers to move into those hoppers having less than a predetermined quantity of fibers therein, the transfer of the fibers from the continuously flowing air stream in conduit 14 to the corresponding hoppers being augmented by the continuously rotating doffer rolls 75. On the other hand, it can be ap-' preciated that, upon any one or more of the hoppers 11 having a predetermined maximum quantity of fibers therein, the presence of such predetermined quantity of fibers' is detected or sensed by the corresponding obturating shutter 42 (FIGURE 3) to actuate the corresponding diverting flap 65 and thereby to divert the air stream and fibers borne thereby in a by-pass path past the corresponding opening 15 and dofler roll 75 therein, so the fibers may by-pass the corresponding hopper and be directed to a subsequent hopper or back to the feeder 20 by the continuously flowing air stream.

Although a particular type of detecting means has been described for detecting the presence of a predetermined maximum quantity of fibers in each hopper 11, it is apparent that other well known types of fiber level detecting means may be provided for actuating flap 65 without departing from the spirit of the invention. When a diverting flap 65 occupies tilted active position, it is apparent that a relatively small quantity of fibers may precipitate from the thus diverted air stream into the corresponding throat 32, especially if fans 50 operate continuously. However, most of the airborne fibers are diverted and carried to a point or points beyond or downstream of the corresponding fiber transfer opening whenever a flap 65 is actuated.

FIGURE 6 illustrates how a series of carding machines a, 10a may be arranged beneath a pneumatic conveyor conduit 14a in a somewhat different manner from that in which the machines 10, 10 are arranged in FIGURES 1 and 2. In FIGURE 6, it will be noted that several of the machines 10a, forming a row of machines, are all arranged so that they extend longitudinally of or parallel with a corresponding run of the pneumatic conveyor conduit 14a while, on the other hand, all of the machines 10a define another row with each machine 10a extending transversely with respect to the corresponding run of pneumatic conveyor conduit 14a. Opposed ends of conduit 14a of FIGURE 6 may be connected to feeder a in the same manner in which conduit 14 is connected to feeder 20 in FIGURES 1 and 2, although feeder 20a is positioned in FIGURE 6 so that it extends at a substantially right angle to the two main runs of conveyor conduit 14a. In all other respects, the fiber distributing system shown in FIGURE 6 may be identical to that described with reference to FIGURES 1-5 and, accordingly, a further description thereof is deemed unnecessary.

FIGURE 7 shows still another arrangement of machines associated with the fiber distributing system wherein a pneumatic conveyor conduit 14b is formed with two parallel runs beneath which corresponding rows of fiber processing machines 10b, 100 are provided. In this instance, all of the machines in both rows 10b, 10c extend longitudinally parallel with the corresponding runs of pneumatic conveyor conduit 14b. Opposed ends of conduit 14b may be connected to the feeder 20b of FIGURE 7 in substantially the same manner as that described with respect to FIGURES 1 and 2. However, an additional feeder 20c, which may be substantially the same as feeder 20 in FIGURE 1, is also provided adjacent feeder 20b and has a branch duct 20d leading therefrom and communicating with conduit 14b at a point precedent to the first machine in the series with respect to the direction of flow of the air stream through conduit 14!].

Thus, it can be seen that, in the event that the capacity I of a single feeder is insufficient to supply all the machines in the series, an additional feeder, such as feeder 20C, may be employed and may operate in conjunction with feeder @012. In all other respects, the fiber distributing system illustrated in FIGURE 7 may be constructed substantially in the manner described with respect to FIGURES 1-5 and, therefore, a further detailed description of the arrangement of FIGURE 7 is deemed unnecessary.

In the drawings and specification there have been set forth preferred embodiments of the invention and, although specific terms are employed, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation, the scope of the invention being defined in the claims.

I claim:

1. A method of distributing textile fibers from a source to a series of hoppers associated with a series of fiber processing machines to provide a predetermined quantity of fibers in each hopper; said method comprising pneumatically conveying fibers from the source through a conduit above the hoppers by a continuously flowing air stream while maintaining open areas of communication between the hoppers and the conduit while causing fibers to move into those hoppers having less than the predetermined quantity of fibers therein by engaging and positively pushing fibers in the conduit above each area of communication in opposition to the flowing air stream and into each open area of communication, sensing the presence of said predetermined quantity of fibers upon occurrence thereof in each hopper, and automatically diverting the air stream and fibers borne thereby in a bypass path past the area of open communication between any hopper and the conduit, and substantially to a point beyond the latter area and within the conduit in response to said sensing of said predetermined quantity of fibers in a corresponding hopper.

2. Apparatus for distributing textile fibers from a source to a series of hoppers associated with a series of fiber processing machines to provide a predetermined quantity of fibers in each hopper; said apparatus comprising .(a) means including a pneumatic conveyor conduit extending adjacent said machines for conveying fibers from the source by a continuously flowing air stream,

(b) means operatively associated with said conduit for producing said continuously flowing air stream therein,

(c) means communicatively connecting and maintaining an open area of communication between each hopper and the conduit to permit fibers to move into those hoppers having less than the predetermined quantity of fibers therein,

(d) means sensing the presence of said predetermined quantity of fibers upon occurrence thereof in each pp (e) a series of fiber intercepting elements movable in opposition to the flowing air stream above and into each open area of communication for engaging and pushing fibers toward the respective hopper,

(f) fiber diverting means operatively associated with said connecting means, and

(g) means responsive to said sensing means for actuating said fiber diverting means to divert the air stream and fibers borne thereby in a by-pass path past the series of fiber intercepting elements and the area of open communication between any hopper and said conduit and substantially to a point therebeyond and within said conduit when a corresponding hopper has said predetermined quantity of fibers present therein.

3. Apparatus according to claim 2, wherein said means communicatively connecting each hopper and the conduit comprises a tubular throat member depending from and open to the conduit, a circular drum mounted for rotation in each throat member, means for driving said drums, and said series of fiber intercepting elements comprising a plurality of radially projecting fins projecting from the periphery of the respective drum.

4. Apparatus according to claim 2, wherein each series of fiber intercepting elements is endless and including means for driving each series of fiber intercepting elements such as to cause the same to move in a direction opposite from the direction of flow of said air stream and downwardly into said area of communication.

5. Apparatus for distributing textile fibers from a source to a series of hoppers associated with a series of fiber processing machines to provide a predetermined quantity of fibers in each hopper; said apparatus comprising (a) means including a pneumatic conveyor conduit extending adjacent said machines for conveying fibers from the source by a continuously flowing air stream,

(b) means operatively associated with said conduit for producing said continuously flowing air stream therein,

(c) means communicatively connecting and maintaining an open area of communication between each hopper and the conduit to permit fibers to move into those hoppers having less than the predetermined quantity of fibers therein,

(d) means sensing the presence of said predetermined quantity of fibers upon occurrence thereof in each hopper,

(e) fiber diverting means comprising a tiltable diverting flap pivotally mounted Within said conduit up stream from and closely adjacent each area of communication between said hoppers and said conduit and normally positioned in substantially parallel relation to a corresponding wall of said conduit, and

(f) means responsive to said sensing means to tilt said diverting flap to a predetermined angular position relative to said wall and the air stream in such a manner as to divert the air stream and fibers borne thereby in a by-pass path past the area of open communication between any hopper and said conduit and substantially to a point therebeyond and within said conduit when a corresponding hopper has said predetermined quantity of fibers present therein.

6. Apparatus for distributing textile fibers from a source to a series of hoppers associated with a series of fiber processing machines to provide a predetermined quantity of fibers in each hopper; said apparatus comprising (a) means including a pneumatic conveyor conduit extending adjacent said machines for conveying fibers from the source by a continuously flowing air stream,

(b) means oper-atively associated with said conduit for producing said continuously flowing air stream therein,

(c) said conduit having a series of fiber transfer openings therein communicatively connecting and maintaining an open area of communication between each hopper and the conduit to permit fibers to move into those hoppers having less than the predetermined quantity of fibers therein,

(d) means sensing the presence of said predetermined quantity of fibers upon occurrence thereof in each pp (e) fiber diverting means comprising a movable flap located upstream of and closely adjacent each fiber transfer opening and normally extending substantially parallel with the direction of flow of the air stream in said conduit,

(f) electromagnetic means operatively connected to said flap and to said sensing means, and means responsive to said sensing means for actuating said electromagnetic means to move said flap to an angular position with respect to the flow of the air stream in said conduit when a corresponding hopper has said predetermined quantity of fibers present therein so as to divert the air stream and fibers borne thereby in a by-pass path past the corresponding fiber transfer opening and substantially to a point therebeyond and within said conduit.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,861,840 11/1958 Powischill et al. 302-28 3,145,426 '8/ 1964 Hijiya et al. 19-105 3,157,440 11/ 1964 Hijiya et a1 302--28 3,185,434 5/1965 Bozich 30228 X 3,194,607 7/ 1965 Timmons et al. 302-28 ANDRES H. NIELSEN, Primary Examiner. 

